JCJC’s Blood Drive meets needs

ELLISVILLE –Jones County Junior College’s annual fall blood drive is on pace to meet and possibly exceed its three-day goal of receiving 420 pints. There are several reasons why faculty, staff, students and community members are giving this fall, according to United Blood Services Senior Representative, Beverly Clark.

“In two days we have had 120 people donate in the name of former JCJC student from Tucker’s Crossing, Chad Evans. The Heidelberg Academy graduate was in a motorcycle accident recently,” said Clark. “We also received a call this weekend about a 16 year old girl from the area who was diagnosed with leukemia and will need platelets. JCJC’s blood drive will meet her need.”

For more than 26 years, JCJC has coordinated four blood drives every year. More people tend to give during the fall drive for various reasons, explained Sandy Cochran, JCJC Blood Drive Committee Chair.

“Typically we have more students during the fall semester and people in general are healthier this time of the year,” said Cochran. “Extra incentives like three pairs of movie tickets and three-$50 gift cards from JCJC’s Associate Degree Student Nursing Organization, the Practical Nursing Organization, and the Radiography Student Organization were given away in daily drawings during the blood drive.”

Prizes often encourage donors to commit to giving. Clark said the UBS also offers special incentives to its ‘Hero’s’ or regular donors as a thank you for people like Cochran who is a ‘double reds’ donor. Because of his regular donations over the last five years of at least three times a year, he is a ‘gold card’ donor, entitling him to special incentives through the UBS. Anyone who signs up at the UBS website, www.bloodhero.com and donates as a “Hero” is rewarded with special perks like movie passes, T-shirts, Baskin Robbins ice cream and CD’s. While the special incentives are nice, JCJC LPN student from Brooklyn, Corey Cooley shared he doesn’t need an extra incentive to give.

“My blood type is ‘O’ positive and I can give ‘double reds’ or two pints of red blood cells,” said Cooley. “I figure I have all this blood and one day I might be the one in need, so I’m going to help now while I can.”

JCJC Health Care Assistant student from Laurel, Shanna Kelley said she’s been giving since she was old enough to give. “You never know who this is going to help. I try to give every chance I get.”

Walk-in donors are welcome, but making an appointment saves time and help the workers better prepare for the amount of donors each day. To make an appointment for Wednesday, September 19, contact Nelda Creel, 601-477-4245; Pat Skaggs, 601-477-4124; Donna Bass, 601-297-4066; or Deborah Cheeks 601-477-2416.